Witzy

Financial Times Debunks Citi's Memo

Swami,

Good info to consider. However, the existence of derivatives on their books SHOULD have been evidence that the banks were doing their jobs and covering their risk exposure. If they had just done that, they and so many of the insurance companies would not be fading into oblivion right now. The number perhaps more telling in that report wsa the amount of their credit derivative contracts ($16.1 Trillion)

Swami wrote:>
> Citi and 4 other U S banks have 175 trillion in derivitives on the
> books......never hear it mentioned do you? Don't you wonder why?
>
>
> go here and verify for yourself
> OCC's Quarterly Report
> www.occ.treas.gov/ftp/...

A New Low and an Explanation for Monetary Inflation

Your point that CPI is just one (incomplete) measure of inflation is well taken, but perhaps gold is now seperating from inflation. I increased my gold position in December because I could not make sense of the strengthening of the US dollar in Oct-Nov even as the US economy was tanking. Other commentators have said as much, and also pointed to the subsequent depreciation of the Euro, Yen, etc as financial dominos fall

Time to Buy China, Copper, the Canadian Dollar and Oil

COMOX

I sold out of MPT.UN (on Toronto's TSX) years ago. I'd become unclear if they have too much financial risk. When they just had the Cardinal power generation they were easy to understand, but then...,

For Canadian resource, mid-small cap I really like CLL or Connacher. I happened to go to Business school with one of their VP's, though I have never spoke to him since then. They are a smaller oilsands play that bought their own nat. gas supply and a Montana refinery for their heavy oil. They have cash on hand, loads of reserves, and they consistently develop on time and on budget. I own it. See you in 2010 Vancouver!
On Mar 07 11:36 AM comox wrote:

U.S. Economy: Spending and Phantom Financing Will Only Lead to Ruin

Brandon, I like your ideas for the "shot from the hip" that they are. Obviously you do not have children when you essentially say let the chips fall where they may, and let things collapse. But, you are pointing to the corruption that has plagued the financial service, no wait, financial sales industry. Where I want to really see radical change is in the needed prosecution of the architects and engineers of this colossal scam.
The standard of living that we all enjoy depends upon having a functioning financial service industry. I'm still hoping that we can reform it without blowing it up...?

Currency ETF Charts

If we're going to look at these "entrails" of the various currencies to predict the future, let's also look at Gold vis-a-vis the US Dollar. The recent raly in gold and very strong options interest in XGD suggest a lot of people are betting on a (further) gold rally, which for some is the same as weakness of the Greenback.
Full disclosure, I moved from overweight to market-weight in gold this week.

Peter Grandich: Bullish on Oil, Uranium and Canadian Banks

Canadian Oil Sands represent a secure source of oil for all of N. America; this security will be more important once China reawakens than the "dirty oil" issue. Technology will likely take care of much of that. Shorting now offers mcuh more downside, except for all but the highest cost producers. I see low cost oil and gas producers as the buy, and I am definitely also looking at uranium to remain strong. Gold..., who knows!

China's Shrewd Long-Term Oil Plan: What America Can Learn

"China are major investors in the Canadian oil sands..."?

I'm here in Canada, and I just do not see it. One medium sized play they were making was rebuffed and they pulled WAY back. The top 5 syndicates/companies represent 80% of current or immanent production, and China is a secondary partner in just one of these. UTS owns huge reserves, like Fort Hills with Petro-Canada, yet their stock price today reflected their cash reserves ONLY. So, if China is trying to buy in, where are they?

LIBOR Shows Worst Is Yet to Come for Credit Markets

This article presents standard economic theory. However, be cautious with the LIBOR here, since banks are hesitant to trade with each other because of a lack of information or transparency, this is not just about liquidity. LIBOR will remain high so long as banks do not know who they can trust, and that won't change until they know precisely what collateralized debt they have on their own books.

Largest Bond ETF Now Trading At a Massive Discount

Re: Trap Door

Time has sorted this out itseems, though I suspect you expect to see a recurrence..., and more hangings

-777.7: Where Do We Go from Here?

JCC
I like your ananlogy, but let me add an additinal metaphor to it. The blood that has been flowing for too long is laced with sugar (debt), and now the internal organs like the kidneys and liver are becoming functionally impaired while the eyesight of the nation (CNBC, etc) has become blurred by diabetic retinopathy.
I have no problem with a modified bailout, and I do not think that the US/world economies are headed for the toilet. However, diet and exercise are indicated, not a pill(quick fix).
Enjoy the ride!

Seven Canadian Energy Stock Picks

By "Canroys" Beabaggage above meant Canadian Royalty Trusts, or Income Trusts, which throw off a lot of cash, and most can maintain their payments at current prices of less that $100/barrel. Beyond these cash machines, look carefully at TSX (Toronto's) Connacher (CLL-T) which is a rare oilsands producer that stays on time and under budget. If you want to stay home, Suncor (SU) may be temporarily beaten up enough by recent production issues to offer some additional value.

Leveraging Up on Precious Metals Ahead of Fed Meeting

I beleive that this is a fair analysis, nad it may work. If you want a leveraged play on gold or silver, there is Horizon Beta Pro products. In Canada, HGU gets you a 2 times market exposure to gold. I'm in that.